JCP Ichida calls on Okinawans to support to JCP-backed candidates in Upper House and Ginowan City mayoral elections

   Calling for victories in the House of Councilors Okinawa district by-election and Ginowan City mayoral election both scheduled for April 22, the Japanese Communist Party Okinawa Prefectural Committee and the prefectural JCP supporters’ association on April 14 held a rally in Naha City.

   The independent Upper House election candidate supported by the JCP, Karimata Yoshimasa, stated that he must defeat another candidate backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties in order to reduce the social disparities and block constitutional revision.

   Iha Yoichi, the incumbent and independent Ginowan City mayoral candidate whom the JCP is supporting, said, “I will do my utmost to realize the immediate closure of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station” located in the city.

   JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi in his speech pointed out that the Upper House by-election debates have brought to the fore three important criteria of choosing a candidate to vote for: (1) to defend the living conditions of the public from the adverse LDP-Komei policies, (2) to block the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa, and (3) to defend Article 9. He said, “With Mr. Karimata’s victory, let us give Okinawans’ clear verdict.”

   Citing Mayor Iha’s four-year achievements in improving living conditions and welfare programs as well as his leading role in reducing base burdens, Ichida called on the participants to make full use of the residents’ demands for the immediate closure of the Futenma base and the withdrawal of the base construction plan to get Iha reelected.              - Akahata, April 15, 2007